WO2013127323A1

WO2013127323A1 - Central console, object holder and dividing device in the central console and the object holder

Info

Publication number: WO2013127323A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/071886
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ernst Hofmann; Michael Steenbock
Original assignee: Volkswagen Ag; Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Company Limited
Priority date: 2012-02-29
Filing date: 2013-02-26
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: CN104144822B; CN104144822A

Abstract

A dividing device of an object holder in a vehicle, comprising: a dividing element including at least one side wall, located in the object holder in a form of separating at least one compartment in the object holder, characterized in that the dividing device further comprising an additional wall, disposed adjacent to the at least one side wall of the dividing element with at least one end of the additional wall to form an additional compartment in one of the at least one compartment.

Description

CENTRAL CONSOLE , OBJECT HOLDER AND DIVIDING DEVICE IN THE CENTRAL CONSOLE AND THE OBJECT HOLDER

Field of the invention

This invention relates to automotive vehicle, and more particularly relates to a Central console, object holder and dividing device in the central console and the object holder of the automotive vehicle.

Background

Over the years, a relatively wide variety of vehicle console devices, cup-holders or object holders have been provided in the form of cup-holding apparatuses, and general or multipurpose receiving and storage arrangement. The console devices or cup-holders are generally known and are arranged for example in a central console in the vehicle cabin. The console is usually mounted between the seats of the vehicle, facing forward or upward, adjacent to the driver and/or passenger. The object holder in the console serves to receive objects, such as liquid containers, drinking bottles, cups or cans.

In the prior art, the cup-holder or object holder may include bottom, periphery walls, and clamping insert (holder) in the cup-holder for receiving liquid containers. Typically at least one opening compartment is formed by the cup-holder using a holder, to receive the lower portions of a cup or other drinking vessel with different sizes, or just to receive some stuffs in each compartment.

Sometimes the cup-holders or object holders could be provided in the console in a removable form, whereby the cup-holders could be separated from the console as desired. However, it is still desirable to come up with an object holder and the compartments therein that can receive a rectangle objects such as an electronic device effectively. Summary of the Invention

The invention concerns a dividing device such as a holder of an object holder such as a cup-holder in a vehicle, comprising: a dividing element including at least one side wall, located in the object holder in a form of separating at least one compartment in the object holder, characterized in that the dividing device further comprising an additional wall, disposed adjacent to the at least one side wall of the dividing element by connecting at least one end of the additional wall with the at least one side wall, to form an additional compartment in one of the at least one

compartments .

The invention also concerns an object holder such as a cup-holder in a vehicle, comprising a dividing device such as a holder, wherein the dividing device comprising: a dividing element including at least one side wall, located in the object holder in a form of separating at least one compartments in the object holder, characterized in that the dividing device further comprising an additional wall, disposed adjacent to the at least one side wall of the dividing element by connecting at least one end of the additional wall with the at least one side wall, to form an additional compartment in one of the at least one

compartments .

The invention also concerns a central console in a vehicle comprising the above object holder.

The invention also concerns a central console in a vehicle comprising a dividing device wherein the dividing device comprising: a dividing element including at least one side wall, located in the object holder in a form of separating at least one compartments in the object holder, characterized in that the dividing device further comprising an additional wall, disposed adjacent to the at least one side wall of the dividing element by connecting at least one end of the additional wall with the at least one side wall, to form an additional compartment in one of the at least one compartments . Brief description of the drawings

The embodiments of the present invention, and its features and advantages will be explained in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings:

Fig. la and lb is a partially perspective view of an assembly of an object holder such as a cup-holder and a dividing device such as a holder with an additional wall according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig.2a and 2b is a partially perspective view of a dividing device with an additional wall receiving an electronic device in an additional compartment according to the embodiment of the invention;

Fig.3a is a partially perspective view of ribs mounting on the object holder according to the embodiment of the invention, and Fig.3b is an enlarged view of the rib;

Fig.4a and 4b is a partially perspective view of the dividing device and an assemble of the dividing device and the object holder respectively according to the embodiment of the invention;

Fig.5a and 5b is a partially perspective view of an assemble of the dividing device and the object holder in two different positions according to the embodiment of the invention; Fig.6a and 6b is a front view and a partially

perspective view of an assemble of the dividing device and the object holder receiving an ash tray according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig.7a and 7b is a front view and a partially

perspective view of an assemble of the dividing device and the object holder receiving a liquid container tin according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig.8a and 8b is a front view and a partially

perspective view of an assemble of the dividing device and the object holder receiving a liquid container bottle according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. a, 9b and 9c are an enlarged view of the ribs with an electronic contact according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig.10a is a partially perspective view of an object holder with a USB socket according to an embodiment of the invention, and Fig.10b is an enlarged view of the USB socket;

Fig.11a and lib is a partially perspective view of an object holder with a USB plug in different positions

according to the embodiment of the invention; and

Fig.12a and 12b is a sectional view of an object holder with a USB plug in different positions according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

A description will now be given with reference to the attached figures to illustrate the advantage/feature of the present invention, according to illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. la and lb is a partially perspective view of an assembly of an object holder 101, and a dividing device with a dividing element 102 and an additional wall 103. Here, the term "wall" refers to a structure made of corresponding material that divides inside from outside of an element or surrounds an area. The wall can be upright straight, curved or inclined with a function of dividing inside and outside or surrounding. It can also be a L shaped or T shaped and so on. The object holder 101 can be a central console in a vehicle or mounted in the central console. In addition, the dividing device can be produced separately or integrally with the object holder 101. As shown in Fig. la, the object holder 101 comprises a bottom and upwardly extending

peripheral side walls 104, and the dividing element 102 is located between the opposite side wall 104 of the object holder 101 in a form of separating at least one compartment 105-1 and 105-2 in the object holder 101. When the dividing device is produced separately, the location of the dividing device is variable and/or movable in the longitudinal direction of the object holder 101 to form different size of the compartment 105 in the object holder 101, for example, sliding movement in the longitudinal direction of the object holder 101. However, it is known that the object holder 101 may just comprise a recess or any other space on its bottom to hold the objects on it. At this case, the dividing

element 102 is located in the object holder 101 in a form of separating at least one compartment in the object holder 101.

In the embodiment, the bottom of the object holder 101 defines a receiving recess in the compartments 105-1 and 105-2, for receiving at least the lower portions of a liquid container, such as a cup, a drinking vessel or other stuffs as necessary. The upwardly extending peripheral side walls 104 consist of two longitudinal side walls and two lateral side walls. However, it is known to one skilled in the art that the side walls can be any shape as necessary, only if the stuffs can be received in the object holder. According to an embodiment of the invention, an additional compartment 106 for receiving an electronic device such as a cellular phone is provided on the dividing device. In the embodiment, the dividing element 102

comprises at least one side wall 108 extending from the upside to the bottom of the object holder 101, preferably vertical to the bottom. In addition, the side wall 108 extends laterally between the opposite longitudinal side wall 104 of the object holder 101, and an additional wall 103 is disposed adjacent to the side wall 108 of the dividing element 102 in a way of forming the additional compartment 106 together with the side wall 108 of the dividing element 102. The additional wall 103 is disposed adjacent to the at least one side wall 108 of the dividing element 102 by connecting at least one end of the additional wall 103 with the side wall 108 to form an additional compartment 106 in one of the at least two compartments 105- 1 and 105-2. In addition, the side wall 108 of the dividing element 102 may extend laterally/longitudinally in the object holder 101, and the additional wall 103 of the dividing device is a L shaped wall, to form a linearly extending space or recess for a bottom of the additional compartment 106 to receive a rectangle block object.

The additional wall 103 extends in a same way as the side wall 108 and is formed integrally with the dividing element 102, for example, the additional wall 103 and the dividing element 102 are made in one piece by cast molding with an elastic material, e.g. plastic. Moreover, the additional wall 103 may be lower than the side wall 108 so that the electronic device can be put in conveniently.

However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments, the additional wall 103 may be produced separately and connected with the dividing element 102 physically, and the side wall 108 and the additional wall 103 may not only be straight and vertical to the bottom, but also can be any other shape or more than one side walls 108 of the dividing element 102 are used, only if the corresponding compartment 106 is constructed to receive a rectangle object, such as an electronic device, mobile phone etc. Preferably, the

additional compartment 106 has the size and shape matching with the corresponding size and shape of the electronic device, so that the electronic device would not clatter when being received in the additional compartment 106. Moreover, the additional compartment 106 at its inner side for

receiving the electronic device is coated with a sound absorbing material, for example textile.

Fig.2a and 2b is a partially perspective view of the dividing device 102 with the additional wall 103 receiving an mobile phone in the additional compartment 106 according to the embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig.2a, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, since the mobile phone is a rectangle object, the rectangle compartment 106 is constructed by the side wall 108 of the dividing element 102, the additional wall 103 and the bottom of the

additional compartment 106 integrally. However, it is not a limit of the invention, and the additional compartment 106 can be constructed using the bottom of the object device 101.

Fig.3a is a partially perspective view of the ribs 305-1 and 305-2 mounting on the object holder 101 according to the embodiment of the invention, and Fig.3b is an

enlarged view of the rib 305-1. In the embodiment of the invention, the projecting shoulder portions 302 and 304 is formed in the inner surface of at least one longitudinal sidewall 104 by projecting into the inner of the receiving recess of the object device 101. Generally, the projecting shoulder portions 302 and 304 are formed at the middle position of the at least one longitudinal sidewall 104, and the L-shaped or T-shaped ribs 305-1 and 305-2 are disposed on the longitudinal sidewall 104 or the projecting shoulder portions 302 and 304, especially in its lower portion region adjacent to the bottom of the object device 101. In the embodiment of the invention, the ribs 305-1 and 305-2 are used to fixed the dividing element 102 on the object holder 101 by engaging a latching slot of the object holder 101 with the L-shaped or T-shaped rib.

Fig.4a and 4b is a partially perspective view of the dividing device, and assemble of the dividing device and the object holder 101 respectively. In the embodiment, the additional compartment 106 for receiving an electronic device is provided on the dividing device by the side wall 108 of the dividing element 102 and the additional wall 103. The dividing device extends laterally from one sidewall or its projecting shoulder portion to another sidewall or another projecting shoulder portion of the object holder 101 in such a way that the dividing device divides the receiving recess into compartments 105 as shown in Fig.4b.

In the embodiment as shown in Fig.4a, the dividing device has two laterally extending sides, on the one side 406 and 408, the dividing device has a circular and concave contour for holding the liquid container, such as cup or other drinking vessel, the additional compartment 106 is arranged on the other side 108 and has a linearly and laterally extending recess on the bottom for receiving one side of the electronic device such a cellular phone.

In the preferred embodiment, the circular and concave contour of the side 406 and 408 is divided into two sections in vertical direction of the wall, the upper section 406 has an incline relative to the lower section 408 and thus the upper section 406 has an increasingly bigger curvature diameter than the lower section 408 so that the liquid container can be put into the compartment 105 conveniently. In the embodiment as shown in Fig.4a, the dividing element 102 at its upper portion of the side 406 and 408 has counter-pro ecting shoulder portions 401 and 402 at each side, which project laterally or outwards at the upper section 406 of the longitudinally extending side of the dividing element 102, for setting on the projecting shoulder portions 302 and 304 of the sidewall of the object holder 101 as shown in Fig.4b. In the embodiment, the projecting shoulder portions 302 and 304 of the object holder 101 are provided on each longitudinal sidewall 104 and the two projecting shoulder portions 401 and 402 are arranged and configured as mirror- inverted with reference to the

longitudinal, centre line of the object holder 101. The dividing device bridges the gap between the two opposite projecting shoulder portions 302 and 304 when connecting with the object holder 101.

In the embodiment, the receiving recesses 105 of the object holder 101 are configured symmetric with reference to the longitudinal, centre line of the dividing device and the object holder 101.

According to the embodiment of the invention, the dividing device can be detachably connected to and fixed on the object holder 101 by engaging the latching slots 403 and 404 of the dividing element 102 with the L-shaped or T- shaped ribs as shown in Fig.4b. In the embodiment, two different positions of the latching slots 403 and 404 are constructed. However it is not a limitation of the invention, any number of positions can be formed as required by one skilled in the art. The one or more latching slots are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the dividing element 102 are provided on the its lower portion, and selectively engage one of the adjacent latching slots with the ribs 305-1 and 305-2, so that the dividing device can be adjustable adapted to the cup or other drinking vessel with different diameters. In addition, as mentioned above, the location of the dividing device can be variable and/or movable in the longitudinal direction of the object holder 101 to form different size of the compartment 105 in the object holder 101, for example, sliding movement in the longitudinal direction of the object holder 101 without the projecting shoulder portions and ribs.

Fig.5a and 5b is a partially perspective view of the assemble of the dividing device and the object holder 101 in two different positions. As shown in Fig.5a and 5b, the left recess in Fig.5a is broader than that in Fig.5b, so that the liquid container with different diameters can be received.

Fig.6a and 6b is a front view and a partially

perspective view of the assemble of the dividing device and the object holder 101 receiving an ash tray, by engaging the left latching slot with the ribs. Fig.7a and 7b is a front view and a partially perspective view of the assemble of the dividing device and the object holder 101 receiving a liquid container tin, by engaging the right latching slot with the ribs. Fig.8a and 8b is a front view and a partially

perspective view of the assemble of the dividing device and the object holder 101 receiving a liquid container bottle, by engaging the right latching slot with the ribs. However, it is known that the object holder can also receive a storage, garbage container or drinking vessel.

In addition, in order to connect the electronic device such as cellular phone with the electronic device in the vehicle, the dividing device has an electronic interface for connecting the cellular phone with a media unit of the vehicle such as navigation and entertainment information unit, and/or charging cellular phone by the electronic interface. Fig.9a, 9b and 9c are enlarged view of the ribs 305 with an electronic contact 902. It is known to one skilled in the art that the electronic contact can be designed as required. In the embodiment of the invention, the L-shaped rib 305 in Fig.9a and T-shaped rib 305 in Fig.9b have the connecting contact 902 for connecting the electric power supply or media unit of vehicle with the interface of the dividing device and thus charging the cellular phone or transmitting data with the cellular phone when the additional compartment 106 receives it.

In another embodiment of the invention, a

corresponding adapter (not shown in the figure) for charging or data transmission and an electric conductor are arranged for connecting the electronic device such as a cellular phone with the above mentioned electronic interface of the media unit. The electric conductor is arranged in a hollow cavity of the projecting shoulder portion 302 and 304 of the object holder 101 and thus covered and invisible from outside. It is known to one skilled in the art that a charging and/or data transmission adapter can be arranged in the additional compartment 106, for example it can be a charging and data transmission plug for a specific mobile phone, and this plug can be changed for different mobile phone. In addition, the adapter is also configured for holding the electric device, such as the cellular phone.

Fig.10a is a partially perspective view of an object holder 101 with a USB socket 1002, and Fig.10b is an enlarged view of the USB socket 1002. The USB socket 1002 is provided on the upper surface of the projecting shoulder portion 302 or 304 of the object holder 101, so that a USB plug or a USB flash disk connecting with an electronic device like the mobile phone, can be inserted into the socket 1002 and thus create a connection with the media unit of the vehicle, when the additional compartment 106 receives the electronic device.

Fig.11a and lib is a partially perspective view of the object holder 101 with a USB plug 1104 in different positions. As shown in the figure, the USB plug 1104 is movable at the downside of the counter-projecting shoulder portion 401 or 402 configured as having a hollow cavity 1102, the USB plug 1104 is moved in a slot on the bottom wall of the hollow cavity 1102, and a corresponding interface of the USB plug 1104 is arranged in the hollow cavity and thus covered and invisible from outside.

Fig.12a and 12b is a sectional view of an object holder 101 with a USB plug in different positions of the slot. In the figure, the corresponding interface of the USB plug is not arranged in the hollow cavity of the counter- projecting shoulder portion 401 or 402, but in a hollow cavity of the projecting shoulder portion 302 or 304 of object holder 101 and thus covered and invisible from

outside .

The foregoing merely illustrates the embodiment of the invention and it will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous

alternative arrangements which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A dividing device (102,103) of an object holder

(101) in a vehicle, comprising:

a dividing element (102) including at least one side wall (108), located in the object holder (101) in a form of separating at least one compartment (105) in the object holder (101) ,

Wherein the dividing device (102,103) further comprising an additional wall (103), disposed adjacent to the at least one side wall (108) of the dividing element

(102) with at least one end of the additional wall (103) to form an additional compartment (106) in one of the at least one compartment (105) .

2. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall (108) of the dividing element (102) extends laterally/longitudinally in the object holder (101), and the additional wall (103) of the dividing device (102,103) is a L shaped wall, to form a linearly extending recess on a bottom of the additional compartment (106) to receive a rectangle block object.

3. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least one side wall (108) of the dividing element (102) and the additional wall (103) are constructed integrally to form the additional compartment (106) .

4. The dividing device (102,103) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom of the

additional compartment (106) is constructed integrally with the at least one side wall (108) of the dividing element (102) and the additional wall (103), or is the bottom of the object holder (101) .

5. The dividing device (102,103) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the object holder (101) comprises two opposite side walls (104) , and

wherein the dividing element (102) and the at least one side wall (108) thereof are located between the two opposite side walls (104) in the form of separating the at least one compartment (105) in the object holder (101).

6. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 5, wherein the location of the dividing device (102, 103) is variable and/or movable in the longitudinal direction of the object holder (101) to form different size of the

compartment (105) in the object holder (101).

7. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 5, wherein a projecting shoulder portion (302, 304) projecting from at least one of the two opposite side walls (104) is formed in the object holder (101) , and at least one L shaped or T shaped rib (305) is disposed on the two opposite side walls (104) or the projecting shoulder portion (302,304), and

wherein the dividing device (102,103) is detachably fixed in the object holder (101) by engaging a latching slot (403,404) of the dividing device (102,103) with the L shaped or T shaped rib (305) .

8. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 7, wherein at least two said latching slots (403,404) being adjacent to each other are provided on the lower portion of the dividing element (102) , by selectively engaging one of the at least two adjacent latching slots (403,404) with the at least one L shaped or T shaped rib (305) , the dividing device (102,103) can be adjustable adapted to different size of the compartment (105) of the object holder (101) .

9. The dividing device (102,103) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the object holder (101) is a central console of the vehicle or mounted in the central console.

10. The dividing device (102,103) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the opposite side of the at least side wall (108) of the dividing element, a side wall with a circular and concave contour or a straight contour for holding an object with different contour is arranged .

11. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim

10, wherein the circular and concave contour is divided into two sections in vertical direction, the upper section (406) has an incline relative to the lower section (408) and thus the upper section (406) has an increasingly bigger curvature diameter than the lower section (408) .

12. The dividing device (102,103) according to any one of claims 7-11, wherein the dividing element (102) at its upper portion has a counter-projecting shoulder portion (401,402) which projects for setting on the side wall (104) of the object holder (101) or the projecting shoulder portion (302,304) of the side wall (104).

13. The dividing device (102,103) according to any one of claims 7-12, wherein the additional compartment (106) is used to receive an electronic device, and the dividing element (102) or the L-shaped or T-shaped rib (305) has an interface for connecting the electronic device with a media unit of the vehicle and/or charging the electronic device.

14. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 13, wherein the interface comprises an electric contacting surface (902) which is attached on the dividing element (102) and a corresponding electric contacting surface attached on the L- shaped or T-shaped rib (305) .

15. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 13 or 14, further comprises a charging and/or data

transmission adapter in the additional compartment (106) , for connecting the electronic device with the power supply or the media unit of the vehicle, and for holding the electronic device.

16. The dividing device (102,103) according to any one of claims 7-15, wherein a USB socket (1002) is provided on a upper surface of the object holder (101) or the projecting shoulder portion (302,304) of the object holder (101), so that a USB plug can be inserted into the socket (1002) and thus create a connection with a media unit of the vehicle.

17. The dividing device (102,103) according to claim 16, wherein the dividing element (102) is provided with a downside of the dividing element (102) configured as having a hollow cavity (1102), and the USB plug (1104) is movable in a slot on the bottom wall of the hollow cavity (1102) .

18. An object holder (101) in a vehicle, comprising a dividing device (102,103) according to any one of claims 1- 17.

19. A central console in a vehicle comprising an object holder (101) according to claim 18.

20. A central console in a vehicle comprising a dividing device (102,103) according to any one of claims 1- 17.